6 Months

Protect your baby by providing immunity early in life. Stay on track with the recommended vaccine schedule. At 6 months of age, your baby receives the following vaccines to develop immunity from potentially harmful diseases:

• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis)(DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Polio (IPV)
• Pneumococcal (PCV)
• Rotavirus (RV)
• Influenza (flu)

Children 6 months or older should receive a flu vaccination every flu season. Protect your child with flu vaccination, see Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine.

Find out what vaccines your baby needs and when with the Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 Years Old [2 pages]

Record your baby's vaccines, growth, and developmental milestones using the Well Child Visit Tracker [2 pages]. Learn more about developmental milestones at Learn the Signs. Act Early.

Get tips to prepare yourself and baby for well-child visits

Possible Side Effects

Millions of children in the United States have been and continue to be safely vaccinated every year with no or only mild side effects. Some of these mild side effects include pain or swelling at the injection site, fussiness, or a mild fever.

Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. If you see something that concerns you, call your child’s doctor.

Learn more about the Possible Vaccine Side Effects and how the US ensures the safety of vaccines [2 pages].

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Flu Vaccine

Annual flu vaccination is the safest, most effective way to protect both children and adults against serious illness caused by flu. Flu vaccination is especially important for parents, caregivers, and other adults who live with or come in close contact with children at high risk of getting very sick if they get the flu. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age or older.

Every year in the United States, even healthy children are hospitalized or unfortunately, die from flu complications. So it’s very important for families to get vaccinated against flu as soon as vaccine is available in your community.

Learn how you can protect your child with flu vaccination.

Watch a 3-minute video about the dangers of flu to children and the benefits of flu vaccination.

Vaccines and Childcare Requirements

The immunizations that are required for children to enroll and attend childcare and school vary by state. States and U.S. territories enact laws or regulations that require children to receive certain vaccines before they enter child care facilities and/or school (kindergarten/first grade, middle school, high school, college).

Find out your state vaccination requirements for childcare and schools.

Record your child's vaccines, growth, and developmental milestones using the Well Child Visit Tracker [2 pages]

Get tips on keeping and finding vaccine records for your children.

Find out what vaccines your baby needs and when with the Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth through 6 Years Old

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